WSU exec doubts fire danger claim

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 19, 2003 -- The East Lake dorm would be shut down immediately and the 360 tenants relocated if there were any questions about their safety, said the Winona State University vice president responsible for dorms. In an interview about a claim that firefighters could not handle a major fire, Winbush said he was unaware of any probem but would check into it. "The buildings were inspected before they were certified to open," he said. "They will shut you down if necessary." City water supervisor Bob Keiper was quoted in the Winona Post that water volume and pressure is inadequate in the East Lake neighborhood for a major fire. Winbush said that he had not heard about the Post story. He said he reads the Winona Daily News regularly and is curious how the Daily News could have missed such a story. Winbush said he doubted the validity of the story. "It is curious that no action was taken by the fire marshal or the building inspector," Winbush said. He also said that no East Lake tenants have expressed concern to him. The four-unit complex opened in August. Reporter: Tracie Groen Background: Attorney: Fire issue a surprise

EAST LAKE New dorm WINBUSH WSU vice pesident

Street tax plan gets citizens' thumbs up

Club offers photo aging workshop

WSU basketball coach plans court chat

Deputy police chief leaving

Touch, taste of Japan due at WSU

WSU students rake in parking fines

East Lake fire issue came as surprise

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 18, 2003 -- A lawyer representing the WSU Foundation in the East Lake dorm tax case, Kent Genander, said he was unaware that the dorm neighborhood lacked adequate water pressure for fire-fighting. Kent Gernander said he was never notified of any problem except what he read in the Winona Post. "I was aware that the city was making improvements to the city's water system," said Gernander, noting that the project was planned long before the diorm opoened this fall. The project, which will improve water pressure in the neighborhood, is nearing completion. Gernander said the controversy over the water pressure won't affect the decision of the Minnesota Tax Court in determining the dorm's tax exempt status. The WSU Foundation, whch owns the dorm, filed for tax exemption of the dorm in 2002 but was denied. A decision is expected in a few weeks. Gernander expressed confidence that the WSU Foundation will win the case, regardless of the current water pressure. Reporter: Heather Stanek Background: Fire marshal: We could do it Background: Timeline set for tax case

EAST LAKE New dorm GERNANDER Former WSU Foundation president

Campus abuzz over African, ebola comment

EDSTROM Post columnist What he wrote: "It is as if some infectious, flesh-eating disease has ravaged (the Vikings) ranks, robbing them of their ability to run or to close their hands into the all important fist (except whe committing defensive holdings). Perhaps one of the Africans playing the game has exposed them to an exotic virus like the ebola."

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Copies of a sports column by Winona Post publisher John Edstrom were being circulated at Winona State University, stirring unfavorable reactions. In the column, which ran Nov.12, Edstrom speculated that the recent poor performance by the Minnesota Vikings was caused by a flesh-eating virus caught from African players. Edstrom, who is white, writes the weekly column during the football season and sells sponsorships to advertisers. The Post isn't much read at Winona State, but students photocopied the article and passed it around. There also unusually heavy campus traffic to the Post web site, where the column also appeared.

Speaker: U.S. wants total sway in Iraq

State to profs: Insurance not your call

Plan: Put WSU on map with river projects

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- The Faculty Senate created a committee to work at bringing the nearby Mississippi River into Winona State University classrooms. The committee would oversee the proposed Center for Mississippi River Studies, which would be housed at the university's Residential College, which combines dorm living with academic and social activities. Prof Drake Hokanson said the center could "put WSU on the map" and increase the university's identity. The proposal presented to the Senate said the Center would encourage "research and creative work in all academic disciplines." Hokanson said funding would come from the Residential College, which charges students $200 a year to to participate in its activities at Lourdes Hall. The director of the Residential College, Ron Elcombe, confirmed that funding is available. Reporter: Ruth Bailey

HOKANSON His brainchild

WSU cited for dorm activities

Despins: I will not resign trustee post

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- The Winona State University senior appointed to the state college board of trustees by Gov. Tim Pawlenty does not plan to resign. To suggestions that resigning would solve major internal problems for the Minnesota State University Student Association, Despins said in an interview that he is no more than "a small piece of the pie" at problem-beset MSUSA. Gov. Tim Pawlenty's appointment of Despins over the summer was controversial from the git-go, in part because the governor chose him over MSUSA-endorsed candidates. It was a gubernatorial snub, but MSUSA decided not to protest despite pressure from St. Cloud State University, a MSUSA member, to do so. Since then, St. Cloud has threatened to secede from MSUSA, which would cripple the association. As Despins sees it, his resignation as a state college trustee would not ease relations between St. Cloud and MSUSA. "I think St. Cloud thinks they are getting snubbed because they are paying all of these fees and only getting one vote," said Despins. St. Cloud students pay more in dues than any other state college but have no more voting power. Despins said that it is important that St. Cloud State stay in MSUSA: "I am working with the MSUSA right now about the situation." He said, however, that he has not talked to the St. Cloud student leadership. About resigning, he said: "No one from St. Cloud, the governor's office or MSUSA has contacted me." Reporter: Christy Blake Background: Despins could save MSUSA Background: Despins a factor in MSUSA flap

DESPINS MnSCU trustee Not ready to resign, Despins said: "I am not done advocating for the students." On other occasions, Despins has characterzed himsel as an advocate for taxpayers, which doesn't always dovetail with being an advocate for students. As an appointee of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is not generally veiwed as a friend of higher-ed, there are questions about the loyalty that Dspins owes the governor

Peacemaker service mostly unnoticed

So $5 too much for playoff? How about $2

River photo exhibit opening at WSU

Speaker: Let's not lose the Dakota language

Madison hooligans told to cool it

Drama behavior code not same as sports

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Unlike varsity athletes, Winona State University theater and dance students charged with misdemeanors aren't liable to any campus sanctions. The chair of the theater and dance department, Dave Bratt, said, "We figure that's between the student and the authorities." Bratt said he wasn't up-to-speed of the Student-Athlete Conduct Code but speculated that athletics are not laboratories. "We regard plays and dance productions as extensions of the classroom." Bratt said. "The theater is our lab. We wouldn’t tell a student, you can still go to class, but we're not going to let you in the lab." Bratt acknowledged, however, that student performers are definitely public figures, but he added that the high visibility of stage perfromers doesn't mean that students who get into trouble will be looked down upon in the community. "By the very nature of what performers do, people notice them," he said. "We perform for the audience. If there was no audience, we wouldn't perform," On the other hand, athletes would still play in a game with or without a crowd, Bratt said. Reporter: Reporter: Sara Ryan

BRATT Theater-dance chair Campus productions offer more than 100 main roles a year, with more than 200 additional roles behind the scenes.

Fire marshal: We can get pressure elsewhere

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Firefighters could use alternate sources of water, besides a single existing main, for a major fire at Winona State University's new East Lake dorm, Fire Marshal Jim Multhaup said. Multhaup, who signed off on letting students move in last August, said: "A fire at the East Lake apartments could be contained." For a major fire, water pressure could be bulked up from tanker trucks. Also, he said, firefighters could run hoses from a main on Sarnia Street. "We would have enough draw to combat even the largest fire," Multhaup said. Students "should feel safe," he said. Multhauf acknowledged broken water lines under the railroad tracks behind the dorm. "The broken water main is being fixed as quickly as possible to get the pressure back up to 100 percent working order," said Mulphaup. "Unexpected things do happen. All we can do is be as prepared as possible," he said. The dorm has state-of-the-art early detection systems, including sprinklers and alarms, he said. Mulphaup has been with the Winona Fire Department for 29 years. Reporter: Gina Bonneville Background: No media queries to WSU

EAST LAKE New dorm Water lines into the East Lake neighborhood from under the Canadian Pacific mainline have cracked over the years from vibrations. Rather than repair them, city offcials turned off the valves. Only one under-track pipe remains. It is being replaced with a larger pipe.

WSU football discipline: "Run til you puke"

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- The gag order that Winona State football Coach Tim Sawyer has imposed on players regarding discipline for misdeeds and clashes with police has made it difficult to assess whether there is a new spirit of compliance with the university's Student-Athlete Conduct Code. Insiders say, however, that since news broke about player police records, Sawyer has emphasized to players that they have responsibilities as role models and must report misdeeds to him, as required by the code. Several sources say that Sawyer's general punishment is harder workouts, including orders to "run til you puke." Although Sawyer won't discuss specifics, sources say he stepped up pressure on players to be attentive to their off-field conduct after journalism senior Brian Krans confronted him with Winona County District Court data on 25 players' rap sheets. Meanwhile, university President Darrell Krueger confirmed that one football player was barred from a road trip because of an offense. Krueger said too that the charge was dropped and the player returned to the team. Despite Sawyer's reported initiatives to restore the team's reputation, some players, including some not old enough to drink legally, have continued post-game partying and boozing in downtown bars. Background: Krueger sees jocks as role models Background: Two frosh miss message, hit bars

SAWYER WSU coach

Prof: Wildfire solution in process

WSU speakers 6th in regional meet

WSU: Media not pressing on dorm safety

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- The news media contact person at Winona State Univerity, Tom Grier, said he has received no queries about whether the East Lake dorm is a fire hazard. Grier said he is willing to answer questions: "I am always open to media, whether the situation is good or bad." There are reports that water volume and pressure are insufficient to deal with a major fire at the new dorm. If contacted, Grier said that he will direct questions to city officials, who approved construction and occupancy, and to the WSU Foundation, a private corporation that owns the 360-tenant dorm. "If we don’t have the facts, we can't answer any questions," said Grier. According to the sources quoted in the lead story in the Winona Post on Wednesday, the dorm has severely strained the city water system. If a fire occurs, firefighters would lack sufficient pressure to extinguish the fire, the Post's sources said. Grier said that he hopes the situation gets taken care of immediately. Reporter: Kelly Joyner Background: Editor: It didn't look right

EAST LAKE New dorm

Mystery remains on WSU election lapse

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- The Student Senate president at Winona State University, Michael Hofland, said he's unsure how an ineligible student was elected last April to a junior-class Senate seat. The student, Scott Taylor, has since resigned, but unanswered is why Senate procedures to check eligibility didn't catch the fact that Taylor was a sophomore, not a junior. Candidates fill out release forms, granting permission to the Senate to go to the university registrar to document candidates' eligibility. The job of background checks for the April elections was that of Senate Vice President, Nick Ridge, but Ridge delegated the responsibility to the Election Committee chair, Sara Manz, because of time constraints and conflicts of interest, said Hofland. Apparently Taylor's academic status was not checked. Manz, who is studying in London this semester, wasn't available to explain what did or didn't happen. The lapse occurred before Hofland assumed the Senate leadership. He said it isn't traditional to do followup background checks in the fall for the past spring elections. Reporter: Christy Blake Background: Lesson for Taylor: 2+2=4

TAYLOR In, out, then in

Editor: Water project didn't look right

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- The co-editor of the Winona Post, Fran Edstrom, said something wasn't right about the water main being laid Franklin Street at the new East Lake dorm, so she asked questions. That led to the Post revelation that water volume and pressure would be inadequate for firefighters at the 360-student Winona State University dorm. In an interview, Edstrom said she had been driving along Sarnia Street and saw the construction by the railroad tracks and wondered what was going on. She had Amanda Schultz, one of her reporters, call on city public works officials, who said they were putting new pipes in due to the amount of water the apartments use. "I personally think that it is odd that the building wouldn't have enough pressure," Edstrom said. "I think that it was bad planning." Edstrom said she has received one letter to the editor and several comments about the scoop. No Winona State officials have expressed their feelings to her, she said. Taking some delight in the fact that the Daily News, didn't get the story, Edstrom noted that the rival newsapaper's offices are across the street from the dorm: "The construction was right under their noses, and they didn't even ask what was going on." Reporter: Kasey kolberg Background: City: WSU pays water, sewer bills

EDSTROM Post editor EAST LAKE New dorm

City official: WSU pays water, sewer bills

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Winona State University not only pays for city water and sewage services but is oned of the city's 20 largest utityies customes, said Keth Nelson, assistant city manager for public works. In an open letter in the Daily News opinion section, Nelson denied an assertion in a citizen letter that townspeople were paying through their property taxes for a new main to service the East Lake dorm. "The water main on Franklin street is paid for with water utlity revenue," Nelson said. Nelson's letter did not address the adequacy of water pressure and volume for fire-fighting purposes in the East Lake neghborhood. There is a claim that even with the $215,000 Franklin Street project now under construction that volume and pressure will be insufficient. As near as Nelson came to the fire issue was this: "The staffs of the water and sewer departments have, over the years, built an excellent system." Background: "WSU needs own fire truck" Background: WSU silent on fire risk

EAST LAKE New dorm Pending issues: Should dorm be exempt from property taxes? A tax court is deciding Is there any acceptable level of risk when water supplies are a fire- fighting issue?

CyberIndee photo prize now $500

Background: Water chief says he was ignored
Background: WSU silent on dorm fire risk

So far, so good with WSU wireless ports

Police chief sees progress against boozing

BROTHERS 129 W. Third Pomeroy said he is working with college bars "to cut down on drink specials so students are not drinking all night long." Some bars, such as Brothers, have feature specials: Drink all night for $4. Cutting back on specials would reduce the number of disturbances in the neighborhoods and fewer people end up arrested, Pomeroy said.

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Police Chief Frank Pomeroy credits the Booze Bus for cutting down alcohol-related crime. According to Pomeroy, Noting that the city had nine alcohol-related deaths in the last 10 years and 25 students admitted to detox or passing out on front porches or streets in the last nine years, Pomeroy said "Because of the bus, which takes students to and from the bars, we have had only five cases of students passing out or admitted to detox in the last semester." The bus, proposed by the Winona Student University Student Senate two years ago, takes St. Mar's and Winona State students to and from the bars on drinking nights rather than having them roam drunk through residential neighborhoods. Pomeroy credits the new Keg Law to cutting down on drunkfests. House parties around campus typically drew 100 students in the past but now only 25 to 30, he said. This allows the police to break up parties that get out of hand without a lot of commotion. Pomeroy also credited ordinance provisions that allow the police to check on the house if suspicious. Also, he said, the new Noise Law that puts a landlord's rental license in jeopardy for repeated parties is helping reduce drunken and racous excesses. Reporter: Anne Lusic

GRETCHEN JOHNSON	JANET KORISH	CHRISTY BLAKE	DAVID WAIBEL	MELINDA WYNSTRA	AMANDA EGHOLM
TOMORROW'S GREATEST BYLINES TODAY

Water chief: My East Lake report ignored

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Winona water Superintendent Bob Keiper said there wouldn't be a lack of water at the East Lake dorm for fire-fighting had his recommendations to City Hall been taken seriously. When Keiper received the original site plan for the dorm's water supply, he said, he and sent it back to the city planner with a negative recommendation. The plan back unchanged, he said. Someone at City Hall signed off on the site plan without his approval. The water supply would be sufficient only if two 12-inch water pipes were run 16 blocks on both sides of the railroad tracks from Main Street to Mankato Avenue and if those pipes were fed by 16-inch pipes that cross under the railroad tracks at intervals, said Keiper. Keiper said he complained to his boss, assistant manager for public works, Keith Nelson. that his recommendations were being ignored and that the proposed water supply to the new dorms would not be sufficient. Nelson took no action, said Keiper. Meanwhile, a quick fix is under way but only two blocks from Walnut to Franklin Streets. Reporter: Jens Hanson Background: WSU silent on fire risk

EAST LAKE New WSU dorm What's wrong with the Winona water system? It's archaic and hasn't kept pace with residential and commercial development, said Keiper. To update the system would mean substantially higher water and sewer fees, said Keiper. The water fee is now is $2.42 per 1,000 gallons of water, the sewer fees $1.89. To keep costs down, city officials have ignored facts and gone for bargain fixes, said Keiper.

Background: Despins a factor in MSUSA flap
Background: The honorable thing to do

St. Mary's Press names sales manager

Smokeout to have many facets at WSU

Background: Frosh miss message, hit bars

Businessman donates plane to Southeast Tech

WSU to raze Main Street house

One last game for WSU seniors, at least

FOOTBALL

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 17, 2003 -- Seniors on the Winona State University football team, many of whom have been a team since they were frosh, earned themselves at least one more game in winding up the Northern Sun season by beating the University of Minnesota-Duluth. They will meet Emporia State in the NCCA Division II playoffs -- a home game. The seniors:

David Blaskowski 6-2 295 T Andrew Bonner 6-2 320 RG Ty Breitlow 6-3 255 DE Matt Brown 6-1 300 G Raylynne Clayborn 6-4 215 WR Kevin Curtin 5-8 185 RB Ed Gilreath 6-4 280 T Alan Hartung 6-1 220 TE
	Nick Jaeger 6-1 210 FS
	Curtis Jepsen 5-8 190 RB
	Steven Koehler 6-1 190 CB
	Dan Lundin 6-0 215 LB
	Mike Madsen 6-2 230 LB
	Andy Nett 6-2 190 QB
	Steve Opgenorth 5-10 200 K/P
	Andy Salmen 6-1 235 LB